Retrieving data from a server

ABSTRACT

A system includes a server and a controller embedded in a device. Both the server and the embedded controller are capable of communicating over a computer network. The embedded controller sends a command to the server over the computer network that identifies an instance of the device. In response, the server identifies the instance of the device based on the command, retrieves data that is specific to the instance of the device, and sends the data to the embedded controller over the computer network.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/667,737, filed on Sep. 22, 2000 in the name of James R. Hansen (Attorney Docket No. 11333/011001).

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a controller embedded in a device (an “embedded controller”) that retrieves data from a remote server for a specific instance of the device.

A device may contain an embedded controller, such as a microprocessor, to monitor and control its operation. Any type of device may have an embedded controller, including, but not limited to, home appliances, such as washing machines, dishwashers, and televisions, and manufacturing equipment, such as robotics, conveyors and motors.

Embedded controllers, also referred to as “embedded devices”, are often connected to an internal network, such as a local area network (LAN), with an interface to the Internet. Other devices on the internal network may communicate with the embedded controllers over the internal network. However, the embedded controllers are not generally addressable from the Internet.

SUMMARY

In general, in one aspect, the invention is directed to a controller embedded in a device for retrieving data from a server. The controller sends a command to the server that identifies an instance of the device and receives, from the server and in response to the command, data that is specific to the instance of the device. The data identifies additional data to retrieve for the device.

This aspect of the invention may include one or more of the following. The command may include an operational parameter for the device and the data may include an updated value for the operational parameter. The command may include plural operational parameters for the device and the data may include updated values that differ from current values of the operational parameters.

The data may include a list of operational parameters. In this case, the embedded controller sends a second command to the server, which includes operational parameters from the list, and receives, from the server and in response to the second command, updated values of one or more of the operational parameters included in the second command. The data may include a list of operations to be performed by the controller. In this case, the embedded controller parses the operations from the list and performs the operations from the list.

The data may include a configuration file for the device. The command identifies the instance of the device by a device type and/or one or more of a serial number and a universal unique identifier. The embedded controller sends the command to the server periodically. The server runs the Hypertext Transfer Protocol and the command contains Extensible Markup Language code. The device receives the data via the Hypertext Transfer Protocol.

The command may include a first operational parameter for the device and the data may include a second operational parameter that is unrelated to the first operational parameter. The data may include a uniform resource locator. The uniform resource locator is used to obtain additional data that relates to the device. The data may include an indication that additional data for the device is present at the server. A second command is sent to the server to retrieve the additional data. The server retrieves the additional data in response to the second command. Parameters in the command determine a content of the data. The data may be encrypted when the data is received and then decrypted. The data may contain a digital signature when the data is received, which is then authenticated. The data may include a list of operations to be performed by the controller. The list of operations includes Simple Object Access Protocol calls that are scripted using Extensible Markup Language.

In general, in another aspect, the invention is directed to a server for sending data over a network to a controller embedded in a device. The server receives a command from the embedded controller, identifies an instance of the device from information in the command, retrieves data that is specific to the instance of the device, and sends the data to the embedded controller. The data identifies additional data for the embedded controller to retrieve.

This aspect of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The command may include a device type and/or one or more of a serial number and a universal unique identifier. The instance of the device may be identified based on the device type and/or one or more of the serial number and the universal unique identifier. The server may parse the device type and one or more of the serial number and universal unique identifier from the command prior to identifying the instance of the device.

The command may include an operational parameter for the device. The data may include an updated value of the operational parameter. The data may include a list of operational parameters for the device. The server receives a second command from the embedded controller, which includes an operational parameter from the list of operational parameters, obtains an updated value of the operational parameter, and sends the updated value of the operational parameter to the embedded controller.

The data may include a list of operations to be performed by the embedded controller. The data may include a configuration file for the device. The server may receive the data specific to the instance of the device and store the data in memory, from which it is retrieved. The data specific to the instance of the device may be received via a Web page generated by the server. The server may run the Hypertext Transfer Protocol and the command may contain Extensible Markup Language code. The data may be stored in a queue and retrieved from the queue.

In general, in another aspect, the invention is directed to a system that includes a controller embedded in a device that is capable of communicating over a computer network, and a server that is capable of communicating over the computer network. The embedded controller sends a command to the server over the computer network that identifies an instance of the device and, in response, the server (i) identifies the instance of the device based on the command, (ii) retrieves data that is specific to the instance of the device, and (iii) sends the data to the embedded controller over the computer network. The data identifies additional data for the embedded controller to retrieve.

This aspect of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The embedded controller is not remotely-addressable from the computer network. The computer network is the Internet. The server runs the Hypertext Transfer Protocol and the command may contain Extensible Markup Language code.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, including the claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a network containing a server and a device having an embedded controller;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process by which the embedded controller retrieves data for the device from the server; and

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an alternative process by which the embedded controller retrieves data for the device from the server.

DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a network 10. Network 10 includes a device 11 containing an embedded controller 17. Device 11 is any type of apparatus or system having functions that are monitored and controlled by embedded controller 17.

Device 11 is connected to an internal network 12, such as a LAN. A router or modem 14 couples internal network 12 to an external network 15, such as the Internet/World Wide Web (Web). External network 15 runs TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) or some other suitable protocol. Network connections are via Ethernet, telephone line, wireless, or other transmission media.

External network 15 contains a server 19, which is a computer or any other processing device. Server 19 communicates with embedded controller 17 over external network 15 and internal network 12. Embedded controller 17 has a local IP (Internet Protocol) address that can be resolved within internal network 12. However, this local IP address may not be recognizable by devices on external network 15, such as server 19. As such, server 19 may not be able to directly address device 11.

Embedded Controller

Embedded controller 17 runs software 20, which includes web client application 21 and operating software 22. Web client application 21 includes a TCP/IP protocol stack that allows embedded controller 17 to communicate over external network 15. Device operating software 22 provides an interface between Web client application 21 and a database 24. Through device operating software 22, embedded controller 17 retrieves data stored in database 24 and stores data in database 24.

Database 24 is stored in a memory 25 on device 11 or internal to embedded controller 17. Database 24 stores data, including operational parameters, configuration files, and identification information for device 11.

The operational parameters constitute settings and/or control instructions for the device 11, which are implemented by embedded controller 17. The types of operational parameters that are stored in database 24 depend on the nature of device 11. For example, if device 11 is a heating/cooling system, the operational parameters may include temperature levels, humidity levels, airflow controls, vent/duct open/close controls, and fan motor speed settings. A configuration file is a file that contains a set of one or more operational parameters for an instance of device 11.

What is meant by “instance” is the specific identity of device 11 as distinguished from other identical devices. The identification information stored in database 24 identifies the instance of device 11. This identification information includes, but is not limited to, data identifying the type of the device, a common (or “friendly”) name for the device, the manufacturer of the device, the model name of the device, the model number of the device, the serial number of the device, and a universal unique identifier (UUID) for the device.

The device type specifies a uniform resource locator (URL) for the device, which includes the name of the device. This information identifies a Web site that is associated with, and generated by, server 19 for the device. For example, a device type might be:

www.SonyVideo.com/television/Wega/XBR400

for a Sony® Wega® XBR400® television that includes an embedded controller. The common name of the device is how the device is known in the vernacular, e.g., “television”. The manufacturer identifies the manufacturer of the device, e.g., Sony®. The model name identifies the particular model of the device, e.g., Wega®. The model number identifies the model number of the device, e.g., XBR400®. The serial number identifies the serial number of a particular instance of the device, e.g., 53266D. The UUID is a universal identifier for the instance of the device, e.g., 4A89EA70-73B4-11d4-80DF-0050DAB7BAC5. Of the data shown above, only the serial number and the UUID are unique to the instance of device 11.

Server

Server 19 is a computer that runs HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). Server 19 includes a controller 27, such as a microprocessor, for executing software to perform the functions described below. To avoid confusion in terminology, the following reads as though those functions are performed by server 19, even though software in controller 27 of server 19 performs the functions.

Server 19 executes Web server software 29 to communicate over external network 15. Web server software 29 also hosts a Web page associated with device 11. The Web page (not shown) is displayed on computer 13 of a user, such as the owner of device 11, who may input updated operational parameters for the device. These input updated operational parameters are transmitted to Web server software 29 over external network 15. Web server software 29 stores the updated parameters in database 30.

Web server software 29 stores and retrieves data in database 30 using application logic 32. Application logic 32 is software for accessing database 30 using the CGI (Common Gateway Interface) protocol. CGI is a well-known protocol for accessing a database. The operational parameters can be stored in database 30 individually or as part of a configuration file for an instance of device 11.

Database 30 is stored in a memory 31, which is inside of, or external to, server 19. Database 30 stores data associated with device 11, including the operational parameters noted above. Other data that may be stored for device 11 is described below.

The Data Transfer Process

Embedded controller 17 executes software 20 to retrieve data, such as operational parameters, from remote server 19. Server 19 executes software 34 to send the data to embedded controller 17. FIG. 2 shows these processes in detail. The left half of FIG. 2, titled “Embedded Controller” shows process 40 performed by embedded controller 17, and the right half of FIG. 2, titled, “Server”, shows process 41 performed by server 19.

Process 40 generates and sends (201) a command to server 19. The command, or a modified version thereof, is sent by embedded controller 17 to server 19 periodically. It is through this command that embedded controller 17 polls server 19 to determine if there are any new/updated operational parameters for device 11.

The command includes data identifying device 11. The data identifies the specific instance of device 11 and includes a device type field and one or both of a device serial number field and a device QUID. The command may also include the common name field, the manufacturer name field, the model name field, and the model number field, as set forth above.

The command may be either an HTTP GET command or an HTTP post command. The data included in those commands is similar, with the difference being that the HTTP GET command retrieves a document, such as a configuration file, that contains operational parameters and the HTTP POST command retrieves individual operational parameters. An example of an HTTP GET command is shown in Appendix A and an example of an HTTP POST command is shown in Appendix B.

The HTTP POST and GET commands shown in Appendices A and B contain XML (eXtensible Markup Language) commands. XML is a self-describing computer language in the sense that fields in the XML code identify variables and their values in the XML code. For example, as shown in the Appendices, the “manufacturer” field identifies a manufacturer, e.g., Sony®, and is delineated by “<manufacturer>” to indicate the start of the field and “</manufacturer>” to indicate the end of the field. XML is used because it can be generated, parsed and read relatively easily by server 19 and embedded controller 17.

As noted, the GET command is used to retrieve a document from server 19. The document to be retrieved corresponds to the fields in the GET command, in particular to the device type, serial number and/or UUID fields. By contrast, the POST command is used to retrieve individual operational parameters. The operational parameters that are to be retrieved are listed in the POST command itself. Changing these parameters changes the information the server provides to the embedded controller. By way of example, as shown in Appendix B, the operational parameters include airflow, humidity, motor and vent values for the fictitious “widget” device. The current values of these parameters are specified in the POST command shown in Appendix B as follows:

<parameters>  <Airflow xsd:type=”integer”>378</Airflow>  <Humidity xsd:type=”double”>46.7</Humidity>  <Motor xsd:type=”integer”>1500</Motor>  <Vent xsd:type=”integer”>4</Vent> </parameters> The updated values of these parameters are returned by server 19 to embedded controller 17 in a reply POST command. The updated values of these parameters are specified in the POST command shown in Appendix B as follows:

<parameters>  <Motor xsd:type=”integer”>1250</ Motor >  <Vent xsd:type=”integer”>2</Vent> </parameters>

As shown, both the POST and GET commands include the URL of the device in the device type field. As described below, this directs server 19 to a Web site associated with device 11 and, thereafter, in the case of a GET Command, to retrieve a specific Web page that is generated for the device by server 19 or any other device in communication with network 15. It is noted that, since the POST command retrieves parameters, not a document like the GET command, the POST command need not include a URL of the device.

Referring back to FIG. 2, process 41 (in server 19) receives (202) the command from embedded controller 17. Process 41 identifies the command as either a POST or GET command based on a header, such as “POST/CONTROL HTTP/1.1” (see the headers in Appendices A and B), in the command. Process 41 uses an XML parser to parse (203) the various identifying fields, such as device type, serial number, and UUID, from the command.

Process 41 identifies (204) the instance of device 11 based on the information parsed from the command. That is, process 41 uses the device type, serial number, and UUID field information to identify the instance.

If The Command is a POST Command

The remaining identification information from the command is used to narrow the search through database 30 down to data for the specific instance of device 11. The device serial number and/or UUID are used to retrieve operational parameters specific to device 11.

Once the appropriate data has been identified (204), process 41 retrieves (205) that data using application logic 32. Process 41 compares the values of the operational parameters to those included in the POST command. If the values are the same, process 41 returns an indication that there are no new/updated values for device 11. If the values of the operational parameters are different, process 41 adds the appropriate updated value fields to the POST command and sends (206) the POST command, with the updated operational parameters, back to embedded controller 17. Thus, only those operational parameters that differ from their original values are returned to embedded controller 17 in the POST command.

If the Command is a GET Command

As was the case above with the POST command, the remaining identification information from the command is used to narrow the search through database 30 down to data for the specific instance of device 11. In particular, the device serial number and/or UUID are used to retrieve (205) a configuration file that is specific to device 11. Process 41 sends (206) the configuration file to embedded controller 17. The configuration file may be a Web page identified by the URL in the device type field. This Web page is generated by server 19 using parameters stored in database 30 and then sent to device 11. It is noted that the complete Web page itself need not be stored. Alternatively, the GET command may retrieve separate configuration files and Web pages.

Process 40 in embedded controller 17 receives (207) the data (operational parameters or configuration file) from server 19 in response to sending (201) the command. Process 40 uses the data to update/reset device 11. For example, if device 11 is a heating system, a new operational parameter may be a new temperature setting for its thermostat. In this example, embedded controller 17 sets the new temperature accordingly. If the device is a television, a new operational parameter may indicate that certain pay television stations are now available. In this case, embedded controller 17 performs any appropriate decoding/descrambling functions on the television signal.

For both the POST and GET commands, the reply from server 19 to embedded controller 17 may contain a URL. The URL directs embedded controller 17 to a Web site that contains additional information, e.g., operational parameters and the like, for device 11. Embedded controller 17 may then retrieve any necessary information from that Web site. Additionally, the reply may contain an indication that server 19 contains additional data for embedded controller 17 to retrieve. In this case, embedded controller issues a new POST or GET command, whichever is appropriate based on the additional data identified in the reply, and processes 40,41 described herein are repeated to retrieve the additional data from server 17. The initial command and/or reply may be encrypted by server 11 and decrypted by embedded controller 17. Any of a number of commercially-available encryption technologies may be used. Server 17 may also incorporate a digital signature into the reply. Embedded controller 17 authenticates the digital signature when it receives the reply, thereby authenticating the reply.

Process 41 may also add value fields to the POST or GET command that are unrelated to the fields originally included in the POST or GET commands output by controller 17. For example, if the data retrieved (205) by process 41 includes additional parameters that require updating and that were not included in an original POST command, process 41 adds the necessary fields and parameters to the POST command that it returns to embedded controller 17. In this regard, server 11 may store data to be delivered to controller 17 in a queue. When controller 17 next contacts server 11, the data from the queue may be transferred to controller 17, regardless of whether the data corresponds to data in the original command.

Alternative Embodiment

FIG. 3 shows alternative embodiments of processes 40,41. In processes 40,41, the GET and POST commands request the same parameters each time the commands are issued. The parameters requested are “hard-coded” in the software that implements process 40. This embodiment provides a way to change the parameters that are requested without altering the software that generates the request/command.

Referring to FIG. 3, process 45 in embedded controller 17 begins by sending (301) a command to server 19. The command, in this case, is an HTTP GET command, since it is requesting a document, not individual operational parameters. The document is an XML document that contains a list of operational parameters to be updated. Using this document, embedded controller 17 can change the operational parameters that it periodically updates.

Process 46 in server 19 receives (302) the command from embedded controller 17, parses (303) the command using an XML parser to obtain the information specific to the instance of device 11, and identifies (304) the appropriate document based on this information. As before, the information that identifies the instance of device 11 includes, among other things, the device type, its serial number, and its UUID. Process 46 retrieves (305) the document containing the list of operational parameters to be updated, and sends (306) the document back to embedded controller 17.

Process 45 in embedded controller 17 receives (307) the document from server 19, parses (308) the operational parameters to be updated from the document, and formulates (309) a POST command to send to server 19. The command is formulated using a command template (not shown), into which process 45 inserts the operational parameters parsed from the document. Process 45 sends this second command to the server. At this point, processes 45 and 46 operate (310) in the same manner as processes 40 and 41, respectively, when used with a POST command. Accordingly, the details of processes 40,41 are not repeated here.

This alternative embodiment may be generalized further. For example, rather than simply retrieving a list of operational parameters, embedded controller 17 may retrieve, from server 19, a list of operations that it is to perform. For example, that list may contain operational parameters to be updated, times at which the updates are to occur, a schedule of diagnostic tests, and the like. Any operation that may be performed by embedded controller 17 may be included on the list.

The operations in the list may be Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) calls that are scripted using XML. Briefly, SOAP is a recognized standard for performing remote procedure calls. Scripting of SOAP calls using XML is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently herewith and entitled “XML Scripting of SOAP Commands” (Attorney Docket No. 11333/015001), the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference into this application as if set forth herein in full.

The process for retrieving the list of operations is identical to processes 45 and 46, save for the contents of the list itself. The actions that embedded controller takes once it has the list (i.e., 310) depend on the contents of the list. For example, the list might specify that parameters are to be updated every hour and may also contain a list of the parameters to be updated. The list may contain XML commands, which can be parsed by embedded controller 17. Thus, embedded controller 17 reads the commands in the list and performs the appropriate operations with respect to device 11.

Architecture

Processes 40,41 and 45,46 are not limited to use with the hardware/software configuration of FIG. 1; they may find applicability in any computing or processing environment. Processes 40,41 and 45,46 may be implemented in hardware (e.g., an ASIC {Application-Specific Integrated Circuit} and/or an FPGA {Field Programmable Gate Array}), software, or a combination of hardware and software.

Processes 40,41 and 45,46 may be implemented using one or more computer programs executing on programmable computers that each includes a processor, a storage medium readable by the processor (including volatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements), at least one input device, and one or more output devices.

Each such program may be implemented in a high level procedural or object-oriented programming language to communicate with a computer system. Also, the programs can be implemented in assembly or machine language. The language may be a compiled or an interpreted language.

Each computer program may be stored on a storage medium or device (e.g., CD-ROM, hard disk, or magnetic diskette) that is readable by a general or special purpose programmable computer for configuring and operating the computer when the storage medium or device is read by the computer to perform processes 40,41 and 45,46.

Processes 40,41 and 45,46 may also be implemented as a computer-readable storage medium, configured with a computer program, where, upon execution, instructions in the computer program cause the computer to operate in accordance with processes 40,41 and 45,46.

The invention is not limited to use with the protocols and standards described above. For example, Web server 19 may use Java Servlets, ASP (Active Server Pages), and/or ISAPI (Internet Server Application Programming Interface) to communicate with application logic 32, instead of, or in addition to, CGI. The commands sent by embedded controller 17 and/or server 19 (e.g., in 201, 301, 310) are not limited to HTTP GET and POST commands. Any commands and/or requests for requesting and receiving data may be used.

The data transferred to embedded controller 17 by server 19 is not limited to operational parameters or configuration files. The data may include, for example, a schedule of actions to be performed by device 11 that is based on information pertaining the owner of the device. For example, owner preferences may be stored in database 30. The instance-specific data may be used by server 19 to correlate the owner of the device to the appropriate preferences. These preferences then may be transmitted back to device 11 to control the operation thereof.

The original parameters sent by embedded controller 17 to server 19 may be used by server 19 to calculate new, updated parameters based on data stored in database 30. Thus, the invention is not limited to simply retrieving updated data, but may also include calculating new data based on currently-available data.

The documents and commands described above are not limited to XML format. Any computer language may be used for the commands. The documents may be in any format, for example, HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) documents may be used. In addition, the invention is not limited to use with the Web, Web servers, and the like. The servers and embedded controllers described herein may be the same type of general-purpose computer appropriately programmed, or different devices.

Other embodiments not described herein are also within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A method performed by a controller embedded in a device for retrieving data from a server, comprising: sending a command to the server that identifies an instance of the device; and receiving, from the server and in response to the command, data that is specific to the instance of the device, the data identifying additional data to retrieve for the device.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the command includes an operational parameter for the device and the data comprises an updated value for the operational parameter. 3-88. (canceled) 